Chapter 006: Unstable Idle Speed

Qinghe Transportation Company invested considerable effort to secure a quota of fifty EQ140 vehicles in 1982, and has since treated this batch of vehicles with utmost care, performing maintenance from Class 1 to Class 3, ensuring meticulous attention to detail each time

In the 1990s, the Second Automobile Works was known as Dongfeng Motor, and the EQ140 was also referred to as "Dongfeng Big Glass"

The masters who were originally whispering to each other suddenly fell silent

It is already 10 o'clock in the morning, why hasn't Cui Dashan arrived yet? Could it be that he has taken a leave of absence? Li Weidong thought to himself

Cui Dashan spoke while looking towards a few older mechanics in the front row

At that moment, in the last row, someone suddenly raised their hand

"Everyone is here, let's start the meeting!" said Cui Dashan

For a small vehicle, an unstable idle is merely a minor issue that does not have a significant impact. However, for a truck, an unstable idle can pose a serious threat to transportation safety. If luck is not on one's side, a small problem can escalate into a major one, potentially leading to a serious traffic accident

Moreover, the transportation companies at that time were very profitable, so in addition to the basic salary, everyone also received a bonus. For instance, the repair workshop could earn over 20 yuan in bonuses per month

Li Weidong made up his mind to continue to endure in the state-owned enterprise for a few more years, waiting for the external environment to improve before venturing into business.

Since he had to stay at the transportation company for a while, Li Weidong could no longer be idle; he had to work. Therefore, the next day, Li Weidong arrived early at the auto repair workshop

This specialized vehicle front features a design with two separate windshields, which can be opened independently, resembling the chest of Optimus Prime

Who knows, but I heard that Director Cui was called by Secretary Yu early this morning, so it is possible that today's meeting is related to this

However, not long ago, one of the EQ140 vehicles experienced an unstable idle issue and was sent to the repair workshop. Subsequently, an increasing number of EQ140 vehicles began to exhibit unstable idle conditions

If that is the case, we must be cautious later to avoid stirring up a hornet's nest

In 1986, the Second Automobile Works launched an improved version, replacing the two-piece windshield with a single curved glass. Since then, the EQ140 has been humorously referred to as "Big Glass." The older model with the two-piece windshield is known as "Small Glass."

When Director Cui returned, his complexion was not very good. Was he criticized by Secretary Yu?

Qinghe Transportation Company, as a large state-owned enterprise in the region, has a formal worker salary of over 30 yuan, and frontline drivers receive additional subsidies

Cui Dashan cleared his throat into the microphone, signaling everyone to quiet down, and then continued, "I do not wish to have my bonus deducted either, so we need to resolve the issue as soon as possible. There are so many experienced masters in the workshop; let us brainstorm together and identify where the problem lies. The sooner we solve the problem, the sooner we can receive our bonuses"

Before long, Cui Dashan appeared before everyone, holding a small loudspeaker in his hand

In 1982, Qinghe Transportation Company purchased fifty EQ140 trucks, which are referred to as "Yao Si Ling" by Cui Dashan.

Unable to find Cui Dashan, Li Weidong could only continue to wander aimlessly in the workshop, watching those mechanics work on the old Jiefang trucks

Cui Dashan entered the office, connected the workshop's loudspeaker, and said: "Everyone stop what you are doing, we are going to have a meeting"

The EQ140 truck is a flagship product of Dongfeng Motor Corporation. This vehicle was originally developed by First Automobile Works. Due to special circumstances, First Automobile Works handed over the partially developed vehicle to Dongfeng Motor Corporation, which ultimately finalized the design in 1975 and officially commenced production in 1978

The auto repair workshop does not have a dedicated conference room, so all the mechanics gather in front of the loudspeaker in the workshop, waiting for the meeting to begin

Li Weidong originally intended to seek out Cui Dashan, proactively offering to take on some work, but to his surprise, he waited all morning without catching a glimpse of Cui Dashan.

The auto repair workshop certainly strives to carry out repairs, cleaning where necessary, performing maintenance as required, and replacing components that need to be changed. However, each time it only addresses the symptoms rather than the root cause, and shortly after leaving the repair shop, the vehicle will again experience issues with unstable idling.

Therefore, even a young person like Li Weidong, who has just started working, could earn a salary of fifty yuan a month, including bonuses, which was absolutely considered a high salary at that time. Even civil servants in government departments could not earn such a salary.

Certainly, high salaries and bonuses are only applicable to formal employees; for temporary workers, the basic salary is only 20 yuan

Cui Dashan's brows were tightly furrowed, and his expression was gloomy, as if he were troubled by some distressing matter. Upon witnessing this situation, Li Weidong refrained from approaching Cui Dashan for work, to avoid running into a difficult situation.

"Indeed, we have cleaned all the components that needed cleaning and replaced those that needed replacing. Just like the vehicle I repaired the day before yesterday, which had just had its components replaced. When I brought it back, all the components were still new. What more do you expect me to fix?" another technician interjected.

Upon hearing that bonuses would be deducted, all the mechanics displayed expressions of anxiety on their faces

Fifty EQ140 trucks can bring considerable benefits to the transportation company each month. If they all break down, the company would suffer significant losses. Therefore, the leadership of the transportation company has demanded that the maintenance workshop promptly resolve the issue of unstable idling in the EQ140, even resorting to withholding bonuses as a measure.

Well, I know the reason for the unstable idle.

Li Weidong, who was in the last row of the crowd, furrowed his brows at this moment, and his thoughts fell into a reverie as he gradually recalled the ins and outs of this matter

A few mechanics exchanged glances, and one of them stepped forward and said: "Director Cui, I have personally repaired several of this batch of Yao Si Ling. Every time I finish the repairs and send them out, within a few days, the idle speed becomes unstable again. I truly cannot find the cause of the unstable idle speed."

Before the second generation of liberation trucks went into production, the output of domestically produced trucks was severely insufficient. Whether it was First Automobile Works or Second Automobile Works, all the trucks produced were allocated by the state. New models like the EQ140 were naturally in high demand, with all transportation companies eager to acquire them

Everyone turned around, and the one raising his hand to speak was indeed Li Weidong

The original EQ140 utilized the cab of a military truck, as at that time, the Second Automobile Works had not yet developed a dedicated cab for the EQ140. It was not until 1982 that the Second Automobile Works developed a specialized cab for the EQ140

Everyone had their say, yet the conclusion remains singular: the cause of the unstable idle cannot be identified

"Today is not Monday, why hold a meeting?"

Cui Dashan looked at everyone with a pale face. He was aware of the situation described by the mechanics, but the fact remained that the EQ140 truck was idling unevenly.

Earning an additional twenty yuan in bonuses each month can significantly improve the workers' lives. At the very least, they can enjoy a small drink after work every day, have a meat dish every few days, make dumplings once every ten to fifteen days, and afford several new outfits each year, which would be more than sufficient.

Cui Dashan continued, "The main purpose of today's temporary meeting is to address one issue, which is to resolve the unstable idle speed of the Yao Si Ling vehicles. You should all be aware that recently, the Yao Si Ling vehicles in the company have been experiencing unstable idle speeds. They have been sent to our workshop for repairs, but none have been successfully fixed; after a few days, they still exhibit unstable idle speeds! Some vehicles have been repaired three or four times without resolving the issue. The problem of unstable idle speed has already affected the company's transportation operations. This matter has now been escalated to Secretary Yu by the freight department. This morning, Secretary Yu specifically called me over and urged our automotive repair workshop to expedite the resolution of this issue. I am not afraid to speak frankly with you; the company leadership is very dissatisfied with our automotive repair workshop. The leaders have already decided to withhold our workshop's bonuses. If we do not resolve the unstable idle speed issue of the Yao Si Ling vehicles, we should not expect to receive any bonuses!"

In light of this situation, Cui Dashan decided to take decisive action. He spoke up, saying: "Whoever can identify the cause of the unstable idle speed of the Yao Si Ling, this year's advanced recognition in our workshop will belong to them"

Upon hearing that bonuses would be deducted, the mechanics immediately became anxious, and those with a more irritable temperament began to curse on the spot

At 10:30 in the morning, Cui Dashan finally appeared in the auto repair workshop